Ask the Author: Julia Bell
“If you would like to ask anything about my novels or the way I write, then I am happy to reply. ”
Julia Bell
Answered Questions (12)
Sort By:

An error occurred while sorting questions for author Julia Bell.
Julia Bell
Hi Anna,
I've written twelve novels and I'm now working on my thirteenth.
It's difficult to say who my favourite character is, although I did get fond of Isabelle in Songbird. I felt she had a lot of obstacles to overcome in order to follow her dream.
But I guess the moral of that story is to follow your dreams no matter how difficult you find it. Never give up on achieving what you really want in life. xxx
I've written twelve novels and I'm now working on my thirteenth.
It's difficult to say who my favourite character is, although I did get fond of Isabelle in Songbird. I felt she had a lot of obstacles to overcome in order to follow her dream.
But I guess the moral of that story is to follow your dreams no matter how difficult you find it. Never give up on achieving what you really want in life. xxx
Julia Bell
I am sorry to hear about your stroke last year and I do hope you're recovering very quickly from it.
I still have a 'day job' and one the girls in my office always has her earphones plugged in listening to her audio books. She says it's a lovely way to listen to stories providing the narrator does a good job.
I will certainly give it more consideration, even if it's to help readers like yourself. As I said, I do have the details of a company in York.
I don't have many naughty bits in my stories and if a kind relative or friend volunteers to read them aloud, I'm sure they won't be too embarrassed.
Take care
Julia xxxxx
I still have a 'day job' and one the girls in my office always has her earphones plugged in listening to her audio books. She says it's a lovely way to listen to stories providing the narrator does a good job.
I will certainly give it more consideration, even if it's to help readers like yourself. As I said, I do have the details of a company in York.
I don't have many naughty bits in my stories and if a kind relative or friend volunteers to read them aloud, I'm sure they won't be too embarrassed.
Take care
Julia xxxxx
Julia Bell
Hi Trish
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch.
I've dabbled with the idea of audible for my books for a number of years since I think they'll adapt well. I'm a proud member of Promoting Yorkshire Authors and we often discuss this at our meetings. Some authors have already tried audible and I've actually taken note of a company in York who are highly recommended.
I suppose the main fact to consider is who will narrate my books.
All I can say is that it's at the idea stage at the moment.
At present I'm working on my eleventh novel and once that's published I'll definitely give audible more thought.
Julia
xx
Thank you for taking the time to get in touch.
I've dabbled with the idea of audible for my books for a number of years since I think they'll adapt well. I'm a proud member of Promoting Yorkshire Authors and we often discuss this at our meetings. Some authors have already tried audible and I've actually taken note of a company in York who are highly recommended.
I suppose the main fact to consider is who will narrate my books.
All I can say is that it's at the idea stage at the moment.
At present I'm working on my eleventh novel and once that's published I'll definitely give audible more thought.
Julia
xx
Julia Bell
There's been many in the past, but at the moment it's Audrey and Nathan in the light entertainment TV programme called Haven (USA). I like supernatural/paranormal dramas and the town of Haven is filled with folk who have the weirdest and rather dangerous troubles. The story has grown rather complicated over the many series that have been aired, but Audrey and Nathan have the thankless task of solving the problems before too many people die.
Julia Bell
Thank you for your question, Anna. Oh, how I would love to be able to sing. I'm okay singing carols with others at Christmas, but that's about all.
My inspiration for Songbird came about when I suddenly imagined a young woman running down steps clutching her music sheets. I wondered what she was doing. Slowly the story formed (long before I set it down on paper), but when I started writing I needed a model for my Isabelle, so I decided on Katherine Jenkins. I played a lot of her music as I progressed through the story.
My inspiration for Songbird came about when I suddenly imagined a young woman running down steps clutching her music sheets. I wondered what she was doing. Slowly the story formed (long before I set it down on paper), but when I started writing I needed a model for my Isabelle, so I decided on Katherine Jenkins. I played a lot of her music as I progressed through the story.
Julia Bell
My last novel is the sequel to my third novel. Normally, I don't like sequels, but I thought I would take the story further. I did cheat somewhat by forwarding the story a good few years, taking it out of the late Victorian era and into the 1920's. I found this great fun, dealing with short dresses, cars, telephones and gramophones.
Julia Bell
Although my stories come under the heading of Historical Romance, I try to vary the romance and challenge my writing ability. Usually I'm watching a documentary on telly or reading about a mystery unsolved or an intriguing situation. And then I think, "What if...?" My imagination takes over from there.
Julia Bell
A few facts about my next novel.
Year set 1904
Place In the beautiful County of Cornwall, England.
Heroine A former private investigator with a unique 'gift'.
Hero A retired captain from the Boer War.
Story What is it that lurks on Bodmin Moor?
Year set 1904
Place In the beautiful County of Cornwall, England.
Heroine A former private investigator with a unique 'gift'.
Hero A retired captain from the Boer War.
Story What is it that lurks on Bodmin Moor?
Julia Bell
It's tough being a writer and I'm sure that applies to published as well as self-published writers. Readers don't take prisoners and if they don't like your story, then they will tell you. This is not only heartbreaking but also demoralising (this includes rejections from agents). Firstly, be like Queen Elizabeth; don't complain and don't explain. Secondly, take criticism on the chin, but certainly enjoy any praise. Thirdly, DON'T GIVE UP. Every setback makes you stronger as a writer and if writing is what you want to do, you will discover that a setback/rejection, will make you want to fight on. And don't forget, every famous author started as an aspiring writer.
Julia Bell
Creating all manner of characters and putting them into interesting situations. Sometimes I have no idea how the story will unfold until the characters tell me themselves. Including historical figures in the story is always fun. But most of all having my stories read and enjoyed. A lovely review makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Julia Bell
Writer's block is like constipation. There's no point in sitting on the loo struggling. Get off and do something else instead. So, I visit friends and family, wash, iron and polish. It's amazing what creeps into my brain when I'm not thinking of writing. (For the other I take a laxative).
Julia Bell
Thank you, Patrick, that's an interesting question, but I'm afraid I still have a 'day job' in order to pay my bills. I always live in hope that one day I will earn an income from my writing, being an eternal optimist. Until then, I keep working on my writing technique so that I can maintain a professional standard and I endeavour to produce a novel every twelve months (as per a possible publishing contact). But most of all, I love writing and I know I can't go wrong if I enjoy what I'm doing.
I wish you every success with your third novel and never mind about being an oldie. Us oldies have a lifetime of experience. And that counts for a lot.
I wish you every success with your third novel and never mind about being an oldie. Us oldies have a lifetime of experience. And that counts for a lot.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more